New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as “cruel and inhumane” following a violent protest in Brooklyn.

The incident highlights the growing tension between the city's new administration and federal immigration authorities over detention and deportation practices.

The clash occurred Saturday night, May 3, 2026 [3], outside Wyckoff Hospital. Approximately 200 protesters [1] gathered to demonstrate against ICE operations. Violence erupted when police attempted to arrest an illegal immigrant accused of assault, leading to the arrest of nine people [2].

Speaking on Sunday, May 4, Mamdani called the protest a “disgrace” while attacking the federal agency's methods. He sought to distance the city's police force from the federal operation.

“ICE is cruel and inhumane,” Mamdani said [1].

Addressing the specific operation at the hospital, the mayor denied that city officials coordinated with federal agents. “We did not collaborate with the NYPD on this operation,” Mamdani said [2].

Former NYPD Chief of Department John Chell criticized the mayor's stance. Chell said Mamdani’s response is irresponsible and puts public safety at risk [3].

The confrontation underscores a volatile intersection of public health spaces and federal law enforcement activity. The mayor's dual condemnation of both the protesters' violence and the agency's existence reflects the complex political balancing act of his new term.

““ICE is cruel and inhumane.””

This incident signals a confrontational relationship between Mayor Mamdani's administration and federal immigration enforcement. By publicly denouncing ICE while simultaneously condemning the violence of anti-ICE protesters, the mayor is attempting to maintain a 'sanctuary' posture without appearing to condone civil unrest. The criticism from former police leadership suggests a deepening rift between the mayor's office and the city's law enforcement establishment regarding public safety and federal cooperation.